Hollywood biggies, desi premiere

Martin Sheen, Mischa Barton and Kal Penn may come to India for the premiere of their film on the Bhopal gas tragedy.

It could be the grandest Indian premiere for a Hollywood movie. Efforts are on to bring down Martin Sheen, Mischa Barton and Kal Penn to India for the premiere of Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain.

Directed by Ravi Kumar, the film is based on the tragedy in Bhopal that caused large number of deaths and permanent injuries. It was one of the deadliest gas leaks ever (Dec ‘84) and took place at a pesticide plant then owned and operated by Union Carbide.
Martin felt for the cause and that’s what propelled him to sign the movie and even play a controversial character. He plays the character of Warren Anderson, the former CEO of Union Carbide. Anderson is wanted by Indian authorities and the Interpol as he allegedly faces charges of culpable homicide.

In the movie Martin will be shown facing arrest and then fleeing the country by a private jet. Warren, who has been termed a fugitive by Indian courts, currently resides in New York. Reportedly, his yearly golf club membership is 3-4 times the average compensation for a survivor of the gas tragedy.

“The movie has been talked about a lot in the US. Now, the makers want the people of India to see the movie. The shooting took place in Bhopal, Hyderabad and Mumbai and so not having the cast here to promote the film doesn’t make sense. So efforts are on to bring them down,” says a source.

Actor Tannishtha Chatterjee is also part of the cast in this movie. She says, “Martin fell in love with India and he was very excited to see new places. There were instances when he shot with us for 18 hours a day. He’s a legend and he could have said that he won’t shoot but he was very cooperative. He will be more than happy to come to India again.”